17hmr vs 22 / semi auto vs bolt

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therealj

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Has this question ever been asked before? All joking aside I'm spinning my tires on what to purchase, here's my back story.

Purchased a 7mm-08 7-8 years ago to hunt with my gramps as hunting was his passion, I was never really into hunting but always loved going to sight in his rifle and any excuse to read up on ballistics etc was fun for me...so of course my first rifle had to be some flat shooting and accurate even though the fool behind the rifle really had no idea what he was doing. :d

My gramps has since passed, the 7mm-08 long sold, my PAL expired, but my love for shooting and the science behind everything remains. I want a rim fire for one simple purpose, to begin what I hope will be the start of a life long hobby of shooting and an entry point to future long range shooting. My son and I love shooting his BB gun so I'm hopeful this will be a hobby we can both enjoy for years to come.

I've sent my PAL application in, I have a 1950 SKS paid for and awaiting pickup ( this board is to blame) so what I'm looking for now is a rim fire to add as my entry into target shooting. My thoughts so far.

1) LH Savage 17 hmr / thumb hole stainless version . I like the idea of the 17 hmr for a little more range and flat shooting, I'm not too concerned about ammo cost, $22 every few weeks to blast 50 shots seems fair.

2) A rugger 10/22 - cheap ammo, probably will shoot it more, probably will end up dumping more cash into it to make it shoot as accurate as the savage from what I've read.

I want to stay rim fire as I'd like my 7 year old to be able to shoot easily also and I have quite a few areas around me that rim fire won't disrupt anyone, I had considered a .223.

So thanks for humouring me, love to hear what some of you might suggest, cheers.
 
Get the Ruger 10/22.
Your kid will enjoy shooting it. It is incredibly cost effective and you can modify it easily in any way you desire.

It is a great starting point.
I have owned many guns but always find myself coming back to the 10/22 because it is cost effective and always leaves me with a huge grin on my face after I get back from the range!
 
John Deer said:
Get the Ruger 10/22.
Your kid will enjoy shooting it. It is incredibly cost effective and you can modify it easily in any way you desire.

It is a great starting point.
I have owned many guns but always find myself coming back to the 10/22 because it is cost effective and always leaves me with a huge grin on my face after I get back from the range!
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So another words, the 1022 brings the kid out in you everytime..

To the op.
I'm in the same boat and I am thinking of the 1022 or a Savage A17 semi. If I go Savage, then there goes lots of $$ for ammo as I will shoot it like a .22.
 
Thanks for the reply, my brain agrees with you. Get the 10/22, you're not a sniper :), have some inexpensive fun and buy a .223 or .308 down the road for more long range application. My heart see's the fast, flat 17 hmr and gets excited...appreciate the help.
 
minilover said:
So another words, the 1022 brings the kid out in you everytime..

To the op.
I'm in the same boat and I am thinking of the 1022 or a Savage A17 semi. If I go Savage, then there goes lots of $$ for ammo as I will shoot it like a .22.
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Was intrigued by the A17 as well but as a lefty doesn't seem like the best option (manual says not to use as a lefty) also have read a lot of mixed reviews. Part of my thinking is that I also have SKS for fun semi auto plinking, want my next rifle to be my starter target rifle as opposed to fun/plinking.
 
It greatly depends on you. A 10/22 excels for gophers and tin cans. A bolt action is better for precision shooting. A single shot 22 like the little badger can be overall fun to shoot, especially if if you're out with kids.
At least one good. 22 is a must. I started years ago with a cz. 22.LR Bolt action. That's what i'd suggest for you.
 
Definitely get a .22lr of any sort before the HMR. The cost difference is huge, instead of shooting 50 rounds you can shoot 300, think of how much more practice that equates too. Also, the .22lr is significantly quieter and that sounds like a plus for you. .22lr also has a large variety of match ammunition if you want more consistency.

As for the rifle I would highly recommend a CZ 452 or 455 over the 10/22. It will be more accurate, and if long range shooting is your goal it will be a better practice tool.
 
Thanks gents, seems like .22 makes the most sense, left handed is a little more difficult which leans me towards a cheaper 10/22. Appreciate the help!
 
Regarding 10/22 vs. a bolt action for a leftie, it's no problem shooting the right handed bolt action left handed. Unless it's got a huge cheekpiece for right handers that gets in your way.
Shooting a 10/22 lefthanded is actually worse as the spent cartridge comes out close to your face (should wear glasses)
 
LarryG said:
Regarding 10/22 vs. a bolt action for a leftie, it's no problem shooting the right handed bolt action left handed. Unless it's got a huge cheekpiece for right handers that gets in your way.
Shooting a 10/22 lefthanded is actually worse as the spent cartridge comes out close to your face (should wear glasses)
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You should be wearing glasses regardless.

I have a CZ455 with both a 22lr barrel and a 17hmr barrel. Both are fun to shoot, the 17hmr is an impressive little cartridge but I find it hard to find in stock consistently and therefore I end up shooting 22 a lot more often. I would go bolt over semi as it is more accurate and will slow things down just enough to let you really concentrate. Good luck!
 
therealj said:
Thanks for the help, going with a ruger 10/22.
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Nobody mentioned the Marlin 60 semi auto tube magazine. Most accurate and reliable out of the box 22 semi, IMO. Cheap to buy yet there is no need to dump more money into it, as it works flawlessly from shot number one. I had two and regret not keeping one. I do not regret selling my 10/22 as it would not hit the broadside of a barn, although I have seen accurate ones too.
 
I would vote for a bolt .22lr. I know its not as sweet as a semi but it makes a lot of sense. In my experience my 10/22 factory gun could only produce pop-can sized groups at 50yds. My modified and totally frankensteined 10/22 will do much better. The quality 10/22 build is fairly expensive though. It takes a bit of coin to get a 10/22 to shoot well.

A bolt gun like a CZ however is a much more viable option and would likely shoot circles around a factory 10/22. Also it is easier on the wallet being bolt fed especially when kids are firing it.
 
Old mossbergs or a Norinco JW15( BRNO knockoff,not as finely finished but a fraction of the price and just as accurate) ...about $200

For a kid,I'd get a savage cub,pink for a girl.light weight , single shot,peep sight and a great trigger.Got one for my granddaughters(pink) the 13 year old graduated to a 243 this year and shot her first mule deer..
 
easyrider604 said:
Nobody mentioned the Marlin 60 semi auto tube magazine. Most accurate and reliable out of the box 22 semi, IMO. Cheap to buy yet there is no need to dump more money into it, as it works flawlessly from shot number one. I had two and regret not keeping one. I do not regret selling my 10/22 as it would not hit the broadside of a barn, although I have seen accurate ones too.
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I'm surprised you are the first to mention this. The marlin model 60 is easily my favourite affordable, modern production semi-auto rimfire, with the 795 a close second.

I'll never understand the allure of the 10/22. Overpriced imho, and not nearly as accurate or reliable as the Marlins without sinking even MORE money into it for necessary "upgrades"...
 
mikeystew said:
I'm surprised you are the first to mention this. The marlin model 60 is easily my favourite affordable, modern production semi-auto rimfire, with the 795 a close second.

I'll never understand the allure of the 10/22. Overpriced imho, and not nearly as accurate or reliable as the Marlins without sinking even MORE money into it for necessary "upgrades"...
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Can't agree with you more!!!! However, it's like a Honda civic.
You can make it however you like. Just means dropping 1+k into it!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
I like bolt actions but If you want a semi,any of the mossberg 151 models is tough to beat..not that I'm prejudiced about old mossberg of course..it's just they feel good and shoot straight..
 
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